I’m watching you breathe as you sleep in the chair next to me.
You look so peaceful.
You look just like a good dad should.
I can tell by the little smile on your face that you are having a wonderful dream.
I’ve watched you sleep for over an hour, just because.
And the whole time I wished your mind was a sea we could scuba dive in together because I’d like to see the LOVE statue that sits at the bottom of your consciousness.
I know it’s huge and red and beautiful, because you’ve been pulling the seaweed off it for so many years. I know you weeded the waters of your mind for me, for Mom, so we could celebrate my eighteenth birthday together—and so I could go on and enjoy the life you gave me.
Keep weeding, Dad.
Weed your mind.
And man the great light.
Even when no one is looking.
Love, your daughter,
S
About the Author
Matthew Quick (aka Q) is the New York Times bestselling author of several novels, including THE SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK, which was made into an Academy Award-winning film. His work has been translated into more than twenty languages and has received a PEN/Hemingway Award Honorable Mention, among other accolades. Q lives in Massachusetts with his wife, novelist/pianist Alicia Bessette.
Also By Matthew Quick
THE SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK
SORTA LIKE A ROCKSTAR
BOY 21